Losing something you value is annoying and disappointing. But having such an item stolen from you is far worse. Several years ago, I suffered an unfortunate combination of both scenarios that has stuck with me to this day.
My wife and I took a trip to a beautiful island to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. To this day, we still reminisce about the wonderful time we had. The food was absolutely the best! And the great memories we made are still cherished.
However, we had been on the trip for no more than a day or two when we decided to take a short boat ride offered by the resort. That went well, was enjoyable, and uneventful, except that as we were walking back to our room, my heart sank. I had forgotten our camera on the boat!
I ran as fast as I could, retracing my steps back to the boat, hoping I would find it. I know I left it there. I asked the boat operator, guests who were on the boat, the hotel staff, and anyone I thought might be able to help, but to no avail. I reported it to ‘lost and found’ and hoped against hope that some honest soul would return it. But I never saw it again. I lost precious family pictures that could never be replaced, all because someone stole something that didn’t belong to them.
Stealing is wrong and hurtful, particularly for the victim, who knows that what was rightfully theirs was taken away. But how often do we take from God something that is rightfully His, and His alone? What is that, you might ask?
His honour. His glory.
In other words, when God should get the credit for things that only He could do and did, we take it for ourselves as if we did it. This is a serious matter because it’s stealing what belongs to God.
Psalm 96:7-8 says, “Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name:…”
The glory is due Him because only He could do for us what has been done. We have physical life because of Him. And if we have eternal life, it’s only because of Him.
In Acts 12:21-23, an encounter is recorded where King Herod arrayed himself in his royal robe and sat on his throne. The people gave him adoration and such praise that they shouted, “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” Verse 23 says, “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”
While the people were shouting, the reality is that Herod, in his heart, was stealing honour and glory from God. God was the one who gave him breath, the privilege to be in this exalted position. But he took the credit for himself and lost his life as a result.
God has blessed us with many blessings, abilities, gifts, and opportunities. We are to enjoy them, use them for Him, and be grateful for the privilege to do so. But let’s make sure to give Him the credit for it all because without Him, we wouldn’t have them or be able to use them.
Let’s not be guilty of the vice of stealing from God!